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Starting hydrangea bushes from cutting is something that requires you to find a terminal shoot. Start hydrangea bushes from cuttings with help from a certified horticulturist in this free video clip.
The Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) is an attractive shrub known for its unusual flowering habit. From late spring to mid-summer the dense clusters of tiny flowers covering the shrub appear as grey or purple smoke when observed from a distance. It grows best in well-drained alkaline soil in partial shade to full sun in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 4-9. The smoke bush grows 15 feet tall and can spread 10 feet or more. To create an interesting specimen plant and keep its sprawling growth in bounds, you can prune a smoke bush into a tree form.
Pruning a gardenia bush will help get rid of dead leaves and allow what remains to be as healthy as possible. Get a guide to pruning a gardenia bush with help from an experienced gardening expert in this free video clip.
With most roses (Rosa spp.), pruning is an art -- careful clipping in precise locations on the canes of the plant is key to good growth and an attractive form. Knock Out roses (Rosa "Radrazz") are another story. This line of landscape roses from grower Conrad-Pyle, suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 11, are so vigorous that you can shear them with hedge trimmers with no ill effects.
Cape Diamond is the exhibition name of a rose that was patented as DARpellerin (Rosa kordesii cv. DARpellerin, Cap Diamant). A rather new cultivar, Cape Diamond was bred for cold northern climates. In fact, it is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 and requires no protection in USDA zone 3, where winter temperatures may get as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
"Knock Out" (Rosa "Radrazz") is a shrub rose marketed by Conard-Pyle that is favored for its disease resistance. This red selection is reliably repeat-blooming, which adds to its appeal. Growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, "Knock Out" requires regular pruning. If you live in USDA zone 5, special attention to the time of year you prune will yield big rewards.
The climate of the Texas Panhandle offers rose gardeners a few challenges. Roses, with varieties growing in all U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones, suffer when faced with the hot summers, low rainfall and drying winds the Panhandle offers. The good news is that growing roses is not out of the question. It simply takes a little attention to a few cultural basics to have roses coming out of every corner of the garden.
Blossomtime, sometimes called Blossom Time (Rosa "Blossomtime"), is a large-flowered, pink climbing rose, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5a through 9b. This means it is winter-hardy in climates with average annual minimum winter temperatures anywhere between -20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The American Rose Society, which assigns overall performance ratings to garden roses, gives Blossomtime a rating of 7.8, meaning that it is "a solid to very good rose."
When it comes to winter interest, few plants can beat hollies (Ilex). Green or variegated leaves and red berries provide a brilliant contrast to an otherwise barren landscape. These versatile plants need moist soil and protection from harsh winds, but they rarely need pruning. Severe pruning, or cutting back, should be reserved only for renewing an old, languishing shrub. In most cases, hollies will survive this harsh treatment just fine.
Pruning roses (Rosa spp.) can encourage flowering, control size and ensure that dead and diseased branches don't ruin the look or health of the plants. However, roses can usually tolerate a period of neglect in the pruning department, and some rarely need trims. If you don't want to bust out your pruning shears every year, consider low-maintenance roses over those that need lots of cutting to stay in shape. Many varieties thrive in different climates, such as shrub roses that grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 9.
In 1988, Wisconsin rose breeder Bill Radler created the "Knock Out" rose (Rosa "Knock Out"), which quickly broke all sales records for a new rose when it was introduced by the Conard-Pyle Company in 2000. Radler wanted a rose that was hardy and beautiful, but also resistant to diseases, especially black spot, which disfigures leaves, stems and flowers. "Knock Out" won the All-America Rose Selections award for landscape roses in 2000.
Most gardeners put a lot of time and energy into caring for their rose bushes, so seeing mossy growths on the foliage can be alarming. Mosslike growths on rose bushes are usually mossy rose galls and may appear on the leaves and the stems. They’re caused by cynipid wasps, which lay their eggs on rose bush foliage.
Pruning miniature rose bushes is similar to pruning regular-sized rose bushes, but with a few key differences. Find out how to prune miniature rose bushes with help from an experienced professional gardener in this free video clip.
Regular lavender roses and sterling roses have a few key differences that you need to be aware of. Learn the difference with regular lavender roses and sterling roses with help from a respected and highly accredited florist in this free video clip.
The Camelot rose, or Rosa 'Camelot,' is a hybrid tea rose variety that features deep green foliage and coral pink flowers. These fragrant roses have a spicy aroma and bloom from early spring through mid-autumn. Mature shrubs reach about 4 feet in height and feature an upright spreading habit. Camelot rose bushes require regular pruning to remain attractive and productive landscape plants.
A rose topiary adds visual appeal to a pot or an in-ground rose garden. Lining a walkway with topiary rosebushes makes the trip down a garden path more enjoyable and fragrant. Roses do not naturally grow into topiary shapes, so you'll need to coax their growth through pruning. Some rose types, such as ground cover roses, are not suitable for topiary growth. Expect to work with roses for several months, beginning in spring, to get a healthy, full topiary.
The clover bush (Lespedeza thunbergii), more commonly called the Thunberg bush clover, is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae). Clover bushes feature bluish-green trifoliate leaves that look similar to clovers. Drooping racemes of white, pink or rosy purple flowers bloom in late summer and early autumn. The supple branches arch downward to form a fountain-like effect that adds interest to winter landscapes. Clover bushes need only minimal pruning to maintain optimal health and form.
Freshly cut roses in a vase have a way of wilting if you're not careful. Find out what you can use to keep freshly cut roses in a vase from wilting with help from a floral design industry professional in this free video clip.
Pruning roses is important, as it gives you control over the shape of the plant, promotes vigorous blooming and benefits the health of the plant. White Meidiland roses are very short shrubs that grow only about a foot tall, so they're often used as groundcover. It is best to prune these roses in the early spring, either while they are still dormant or just as they start exhibiting new growth.
If you have knocked out a wall due to renovations to your home or you want to replace a wall that was removed for projects, you have a unique building situation. It is possible to build a new wall frame to replace the old one, but you will need to take careful measurements of the wall to make sure it will fit into place exactly. You may need to use braces for the ceiling if you inadvertently knocked down a supporting wall.
Torch Glow is a variety of bougainvillea, or bugambilia, that exhibits erect branches and vibrant pink flowers. This plant is an attention grabber, and it is ideal as a focal point in a landscape. It exhibits a moderate growth rate, making it relatively easy to control. Prune a Torch Glow plant to shape it, and to control its growth, as desired. It will quickly bounce back from any pruning -- but for best results, you should prune in spring. You can train Torch Glow into many types of growth habits, depending on how you prune and care for it. It…
Columbines are graceful, bell-shaped flowers that are right at home in wildflower meadows and cottage gardens. Many of the hybrids are valuable assets to formal perennial beds as well. Columbine is susceptible to viral leaf spot diseases, particularly the necrotic spot virus, and there is no cure. Infected plants must be removed and destroyed. Thrips spread the disease as they feed on the plants, and controlling thrips is an important part of controlling the disease.
The flowering annual sweet pea (Lathryus odoratus) grows well in most climates. Sweet pea bush varieties grow shorter than the more vine-like varieties, allowing them to take on the shape of a low, loosely growing bush if they aren't trained to a support. These sweet peas reach only up to 3 feet tall and are suitable for flower beds, borders and containers. Light pruning keeps the plants looking their best. A trim also maintains the shape and size of the sweet pea bush so it doesn't split open or sprawl over the bed.
Pikake is an aromatic Jasmin species that is native to India and widely grown in Hawaii. It can grow to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The white, star-shaped flowers are commonly used in Hawaiian leis, so the flowering shrub is widely grown commercially. That's why there are numerous known methods for encouraging flower production in the plant. The right method for your pruning depends on the time of year. Pruning for controlled growth should be done in winter, while pruning for flowering can be done in spring and summer. Proper care and the right application of…
When you connect to the Internet, your Dell computer may display the error message "No supported webcam driver detected. Please install the webcam driver using the Dell Resource CD and launch Webcam Central again." Because webcams are built-in on many Dell models, the message is somewhat perplexing. The error typically occurs when you need to update, upgrade, and in some cases, downgrade a component of your operating system.
Wander into any rose garden and you'll immediately notice the variety of forms that species of the Rosaceae family can take. The famously fragrant blossoms grow from miniature bushes, large shrubs, upright trees and even sprawling vines. The so-called "weeping" rose tree doesn't come from a single rose cultivar or species; rather, it's grown by grafting a climbing rose onto an upright tree variety.
The foliage of a standard snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is short, slender leaves. The attractiveness of the plant's greenery is secondary to that of its bi-colored, popcorn-shaped blossoms. They top the foliage in bright whorls, each flower opening jaw-like for children who play with them like finger puppets. But if the foliage is attacked by a disease, such as rust, snapdragon blossoms can't flourish.
Sally Holmes is a rose cultivar known for its large clusters of white, fragrant flowers that are reminiscent of white hydrangeas. It is a compact bush that, at mature height, can reach 6 to 12 feet tall. It also can be trained to climb a trellis or wall. If properly cared for -- which includes adopting a good fertilizing schedule -- a Sally Holmes rose bush blooms reliably from spring until fall. Fertilize the rose bushes after the last frost in the spring.
The desert rose, or Adenium obesum, is native to the semi-arid areas of Saharan Africa, and blooms through the summer. This succulent plant produces bright green foliage, blooms in a rainbow of colors, and thrives in both potted and in-ground situations. The plant maintains relatively compact growth with a height of 4 to 6 feet and restricts its growth even more with small pots and pruning. Plant multiple desert rose plants in pots and set them close together to build your own miniature Bonsai forest in the garden.
Rose cultivars like Tangerine Twist charm gardeners with their orange-tinted blooms and vigorous growth habit. Their growth often slows when the soil becomes depleted, or when exposed to less-than-ideal light and moisture conditions. Altering conditions around the rose is the most reliable means of promoting active growth. It is best to make the changes in early spring, so that the rose has time to slowly acclimate to the changes while emerging from its winter dormancy.
Sturdy, thick rose stems hold their blooms upright for garden viewing from above, or for placement in a vase. However, certain kinds of roses, especially some English roses, are prone to weak, thin stems. When a genetic predisposition to weak stems is countered with appropriate planting and care, rose stems can be made to grow to their maximum thickness. Nitrogen or phosphorous deficiency contributes to weak stems. Insufficient sunlight along with too much nitrogen promotes weak, elongated stems. A properly planted rosebush in a sunny, well-draining site optimally uses nutrients for sturdier stems.
The pale beauty of a lavender rose can provide a soft and romantic addition to your cut flower displays. Lavender rose varieties require the same care in an arrangement as other types of roses. The blossoms retain their color and health for up to 10 days when properly cared for, although the whole bouquet could last a few days longer if some of the roses have unopened buds at the time of cutting. Care requirements remain the same whether you only have lavender roses in the vase or if they are combined with other flowers or foliage.
Blanco uses knockout holes for its line of Silgranit sinks. Prefabricated "knockouts" make installing a Silgranit sink less difficult when you need holes for the faucet that are not currently on the sink. A Silgranit sink usually comes with three holes for the faucet. The knock-out holes on a Blanco sink are perforated on the bottom; but knocking one out's not just a game of Whac-A-Mole. Knocking out the hole requires a special hammer so that you don't damage the surrounding sink surface.
Black spot is a fungal disease that affects a variety of plants, including roses and citrus trees. Environmental conditions are the main cause of this disease. Moisture combined with warm temperatures causes the spores to germinate. Once the spores are active, they spread on the plant and in the soil, and are carried on the wind to other plants. To stop this black spot from spreading, take immediate action at the first sign of disease.
While all plants can be pruned back, shrubs are among the most frequently pruned plants to control their height, shape and size. Every shrub responds differently to pruning, so it’s best to prune it according to its needs. Keep in mind, though, that narrow leaf evergreen shrubs usually do not tolerate heavy pruning as well as broadleaf shrubs do.
Despite their varying appearance and cultural requirements, all species of hibiscus shrubs grow readily from cuttings. Replanting the cuttings takes little effort or expertise, so it is an appropriate task for even novice gardeners. Once replanted, the cuttings take root in about one month and are ready to go into the garden by the end of summer. However, in colder climates, it is best to wait until the following spring to plant the hibiscus shrubs in a permanent bed since even cold-hardy species are vulnerable to heavy frost.
Kordes Perfecta is a cultivar of rose grown for its fragrant pink blossoms and vigorous, shrubby growth habit. Like many tea roses, Kordes Perfecta grows well from cuttings and will reach a mature size in just a year or two. Although many gardeners consider it fussy, Kordes Perfecta is resistant to most diseases and will thrive if provided with a fertile bed with full or partial sun exposure. But it does require regular feeding and pruning to prolong its blooming period and look its best.
The rose cultivar American Pillar was developed in 1902 and has enchanted gardeners ever since with its rambling growth habit and single-petaled, white and pink blossoms. It is among the easiest rose cultivars to grow since it tolerates poor soil, shade and freezing temperatures with minimal damage. However, it is somewhat susceptible to powdery mold if grown in a heavily shaded area, so good cultural practices such as deep watering and regular pruning are recommended to help it thrive and look its best.
You can draw a rose cutting through a heart in a very specific way. Find out how to draw a rose cutting through a heart with help from an artist in this free video clip.
Many hibiscus plants flourish in tropical regions and bear showy flowers that come in a rainbow of colors. Gardeners in cooler climates grow tropical hibiscus as houseplants during winter and patio plants during summer. Other hibiscus species are perennial natives of the southeastern United States. Annual and perennial hibiscus plants are susceptible to the same pests. Three of these – whiteflies, spider mites and thrips – leave signature black spots on the backs of leaves.
Orchids are cultivated in gardens and homes throughout North America as flowering ornamentals. Foliage discoloration and other cosmetic damage on orchids may be the result of an infection, infestation or an adverse growing environment. These symptoms may represent a serious, and possibly fatal, condition. Even if the cause of the problem does not pose a serious threat to the plant's health, it can significantly diminish the plant's aesthetic value if left untreated.
Most gardenias aren’t hardy where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing so in many parts of the U.S., wintering them outdoors is not an option. However, these deep green, broad-leafed, evergreen shrubs with fragrant white flowers do well in containers. One option for beating winter cold is to bring potted gardenias indoors as houseplants, either for winter only or year-round -- but only if you’re willing to provide for their very particular temperature and humidity needs. Another is to grow winter hardy varieties.
Cherry bushes belong to the genus Prunus and include species such as western sand cherry (Prunus besseyi) and Chinese bush cherry (Prunus tomentosa), which are widely cultivated for their edible fruit. While they might belong to the same genus as cherry trees, cherry bushes require significantly less maintenance than standard cherry trees and will thrive for many years with minimal attention or care.
Zwinky is a social networking website where users can create online characters, then use those characters to play online games, shop in virtual stores and develop a wardrobe. While logged in to your Zwinky account, you're able to chat with other Zwinky users. The chat feature offers several different icons you can create using a special code, including roses.
Tall and wide-spreading, oaks (Quercus spp.) are common shade trees throughout the country. Growing anywhere from 20 to 100 feet high and wide, oaks enhance almost any landscape. These long-lived trees are seldom seriously troubled by pests or diseases, but two conditions can cause dark, oozing spots on oak trunks.
The days of dyeing white roses blue with food coloring are over as you can now grow real blue roses in your garden. Japanese-based Suntory Flowers Limited created a natural blue rose called “Applause" using pansy genes. The roses feature a soft blue color and a delicate fragrance. Plant blue roses in your garden as an unexpected touch, and use the eye-catching blooms as home or special event decor. You can grow blue roses in the same manner as traditional roses.
Knock Out roses have gained great popularity because of their neat growing habit and season-long blooms. Their vibrant colors displayed against dark foliage catch and keep the eye. Their maximum height of 3 to 4 feet, along with their rounded shape, allow them to fit in mixed gardens or stand alone as specimen plants. No matter how you want to use Knock Out roses, give some thought to displaying them against backdrops that show them off at their ebullient best.
Rosebushes are large, colorful additions to home gardens and grow in a range of colors and sizes. The Knock Out family of roses grow in contained shrub formations and demonstrate better cold hardiness and disease resistance than standard hybrid teas, floribundas and grandifloras. They still suffer with improper care or location, though, and fall prey to some specific fungal infections.
A bouquet of roses is a colorful addition to your home or office. However, once you get the bouquet out of the florist's paper and into a vase, it doesn't keep the shape of its original arrangement. When you arrange the roses in your vase, you can arrange them close together to help maintain the shape you want and make the bouquet look full.
The rose has been in cultivation for around 5,000 years, which is plenty of time for gardeners to have become familiar with all the problems affecting rose bushes. Saving a rose bush, whether from pests and disease or problems caused by environmental factors, requires careful observation paired with appropriate action.
